In an email to thousands of the health care system’s employees, Mountain States Health Alliance CEO Alan Levine confirmed a partnership agreement with the Johnson City-based hospital organization and neighboring Wellmont Health System, a combination that will have major effects across the Tri-Cities.

“So today, I am sharing with you that yes, our Board and Wellmont’s Board have decided to agree on a partnership,” Levine wrote in an email addressed to “MSHA Everyone.” “An agreement has not yet been signed, but we anticipate that will happen in the next 24 hours.”